Counseling Education

Bachelor’s Degree Counseling Programs

Most states require professional counselors to hold a graduate degree, although those with baccalaureate degrees may be able to take entry-level positions as social workers, case managers, or substance abuse counselors. The graduate degree is usually when students focus on a specific area of practice (e.g. marriage and family therapy or substance abuse), but before committing to a specialty, students may get a much broader education at the undergraduate level. Because the number of four-year bachelor’s degree programs in counseling is limited, prospective counselors often choose to complete their degrees in related fields, such as sociology, psychology or social work. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are nearly 190 universities that offer bachelor’s programs in counseling or counseling-related fields. The undergraduate degree, then, is key to providing students with foundational knowledge and skills that will prepare them for entry-level positions, as well as prepare them for the academic rigors of graduate school.

Upon completing a program, students are expected to understand the conceptual frameworks of counseling; the factors influencing human behavior, growth and development; professional and ethical practices; and assessment and research techniques. Bachelor’s in counseling degrees generally require between 120 and 136 credit hours of study to complete, and in most cases, students must also complete a hands-on clinical or practicum requirement. Students may opt for either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree; the curriculum in a Bachelor of Science has a greater focus on science and mathematics, while the Bachelor of Arts is based more in humanities. Example degrees in the field include:

• Bachelor of Science in Substance Abuse Counseling
• Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health Counseling
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Addiction Counseling

Although curriculum varies by school, the table below includes a brief overview of the types of classes students may expect in a four-year program :

Opportunities for Learning Outside the Classroom

Hands-on training is central to preparing counselors for professional practice, and the requisite field experience is a core component of a counseling education. Although limited at the associate level, practicum requirements are standard in bachelor’s degree programs. Students work in a supervised environment, traditionally a community setting, putting their classroom-based knowledge to work in real-world scenarios. Commonly, students complete 180 hours of practicum experience either during the semester or over the summer. A more intensive internship experience usually follows the practicum; in most cases, students are responsible for securing an approved internship site before completing their practica.

Counseling Resources

A host of resources exist for students interested in completing a counseling degree program. Major counseling organizations often allow student members, and offer support services ranging from networking to scholarships. Check out these links for more information:

 

• American Association of Christian Counselors 
  A national association of licensed counselors, lay church members and pastors offering support through professional development, publications, and industry advocacy.
• American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy 
  With some 50,000 members, the organization offers benefits, networking opportunities, and information about news in the field.
• American Board of Genetic Counseling 
  Responsible for certifying professionals in this specialized field of counseling.
• American College Counseling Association 
  Includes professional and student members from the fields of social work, counseling and psychology.
• American Counseling Association 
  Founded in 1952, the ACA is the largest organization in the profession, representing nearly 60,000 members.
• American Mental Health Counselors Association 
  Advocacy, education and collaboration are the goals of the nation’s leading organization for licensed clinical mental health counselors.
• American Psychotherapy Association 
  Establishing professional standards and credentialing individuals working in the field of psychotherapy are primary responsibilities of this organization.
• American Rehabilitation Counseling Association 
  Supports students, educators and counseling practitioners devoted to counseling in the rehabilitative fields.
• American School Counselor Association 
  This organization supports school counselors through professional development, industry publications, advocacy and research.
• Association for Adult Development and Aging 
  A national organization that advocates for issues related to aging and adult development and provides opportunities for professional development and networking.
• Association for Behavior Analysis International 
  This membership organization offers events and job placement services for its members, as well as publishing a journal of scholarly research.
• Association for Counselor Education and Supervision 
  Dedicated to supporting the education of counselors, the organization counts graduate students, faculty members, counselors and supervisors among its members.
• Association for Creativity in Counseling 
  Serves as a networking hub for practicing counselors, students and educators.
• Association for Humanistic Counseling 
  Members of this ACA division share philosophical beliefs in humanistic principles and their application in counseling.
• Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Issues in Counseling 
  Promotes awareness of LGBT issues and their influence on counseling practices.
• Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development 
  Advocates for diversity and civil rights in the counseling industry through mentoring, conferences and other resources.
• Association for Specialists in Group Work 
  A division of the ACA that offers professional training and development resources, establishes professional standards, and supports the counseling practice as a whole.
• Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling 
  A national organization dedicated to enhancing the role of values in the educational process and practice of professional counselors.
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs 
  CACREP is responsible for accrediting master’s and doctoral degree programs in counseling. .
• International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors 
  This national organization is for students, counselor educators, corrections counselors and professional substance abuse counselors.
• International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors 
  An arm of the ACA offering training and education to support the professional development of counselors.
• Military and Government Counseling Association 
  Supports government-based counselors in local, state and federal agencies.
• NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals 
  This organization supports the interests of its more than 85,000 members who specialize in addiction treatment, prevention, support and education.
• National Board for Certified Counselors 
  A nonprofit organization that establishes national certification standards for counseling and has certified nearly 60,000 counselors to date.
• National Career Development Association 
  Develops standards for career development professionals, and offers professional support and advocacy to its membe
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